I am a firm believer in, “ If you
plan it, it will happen.” I think it’s
important to plan your RV trips
and lock in dates in advance. Last
year we didn’t do that and our
camping season was limited to a
few short spur of the moment RV
trips.

Publisher: RV Education 101

My goal this year is to plan, and
take some fun RV trips. Tyler, our
youngest son, still enjoys trips in
the RV. I want to take advantage
of that as long as possible. It
seems like before you know it
they are grown and gone. I hope
the RV memories our boys have
will be passed down to future
generations of RVers.

Copyright 2012 RV Education 101, all rights
reserved, RV Consumer Magazine is
published by RV Education 101. This
publication cannot be reproduced without the
expressed written consent of the publisher.
Advertisers and/or advertising agencies or
representatives assume all liabilities for any
printed content appearing in RV Consumer
Magazine. Articles and opinions expressed in
this publication may not be the same opinion
of the magazine, its staff or its advertisers.

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4

By Mark Polk

We all enjoy traveling and camping in our
RVs, and I think most RV owners like to
think of ways to enhance the RV
experience. It might be a product to help
improve the drivability, address a safety
concern, or just a fun accessory to have
when you arrive at your destination.

And you can monitor the towed vehicle
tires too. I personally use a Tire Minder
TPMS by Minder Research, Inc. There are
lots of reputable TPMS products on the
market, so list what features are important
to you and see what TPMS product suits
your specific needs.

I am not affiliated with the products I
may mention. My goal with this article
is not to recommend a particular
aftermarket product, but simply to
point out some products that might
enhance your RV experiences.

Steering Stabilizer: If you own a
motorhome you spend lots of time behind
the steering wheel, and you want the
drive to be as enjoyable as possible.
What’s the old saying, “Getting there is
half the fun.” Not long after purchasing
our motorhome I realized I wanted to
upgrade the steering . The steering can be
severely affected by passing trucks, ruts in
the road or high winds. Some steering
issues can result in white knuckle driving
experiences that quickly take the fun out
of getting there. There are lots of
aftermarket steering stabilizers and
steering controls designed to keep a
motorhome steering straight when you
need it most. I personally use a product
called Steer Safe, and I am very pleased
with its performance. Once again
determine what features you are looking
for and research steering products
available on the market.

GPS for RVers: The first product is a good
Global Positioning System. The
technology is available so why not use it.
A good GPS can make getting to your
camping destination less stressful. And a
GPS designed with specific RV features is
even better. Recently GPS manufacturers
have stepped forward when it comes to
catering to the RV consumer. Think about
what RV features are important to you
and research what GPS products are
available in today’s market. But don’t
throw your road atlas away, just in case.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Now
that we can find our destination in a snap
we want to get there safely. The second
product I recommend is a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS). There is no
easier way to check the air pressure in
your tires, monitor the tires for a loss in
pressure, or detect high temperature
conditions than with a good TPMS.

Go for the RV Gold Online Training Program

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5

RV Aftermarket Products
Surge Guard: When you arrive at your
destination and plug the RV into an electrical
source you confront a whole new set of
potential problems. Next on my list is a
product designed to protect the electrical
system of your RV. You have thousands of
dollars worth of sophisticated and sensitive
electronic equipment in your RV. A few
short seconds of faulty power can damage
appliances and electronics like stereos,
satellite systems, microwaves, televisions
and computer equipment. I use a product
called Surge Guard for added security and
protection. It checks the power pedestal for
improper wiring and it protects the electrical
system from over and under voltage
conditions. Better safe than sorry.
Central Vacuum Cleaner: When you are at
the campground, or when you get back
home and it’s time to clean the motorhome
this product makes the job much easier. I
installed a Dirt Devil central vacuum cleaner
designed specifically for RVs. The canister
can be installed in an out of the way place
with easy access to the inlet valve on the
interior of the RV. The Dirt Devil is powerful,
has a hose that extends 35 feet and comes
with attachments that can be used on
almost every surface in the RV. And no more
concerns about storing a bulky vacuum
cleaner in the RV!

Ventilation Products: Last but certainly
not least is a product that helps with
ventilation. If you’ve been around RV’s
for a while you already know that your
RV needs ventilation for many different
reasons: to reduce heat build-up, to let
stale musty air and cooking odors
escape and to improve the inside air
quality. Unless you fulltime, chances
are your motorhome sits in storage for
periods of non-use. If it is stored
outside the roof vents can only be
opened when the weather is nice. Roof
vent covers solve this problem and
many other ventilation issues we are
confronted with. I use Maxx Air vent
covers and other Maxx Air products on
our motorhome. If you place vent
covers on opposite ends of the RV it
helps promote good cross ventilation.
RV 101

Watch the Product Videos

Steer Safe
Steer Safe Video

Surge Guard
Surge Guard Video

Dirt Devil

Maxx Air

Dirt Devil Video

Maxx Air Video

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6

By Mark Polk

Over the years I have written
numerous articles about water filtration,
water quality and sanitizing your RV
water system. There are lots of
reasons to be concerned about the
water we drink, especially when it
comes to RV’s. Traveling in an RV
means you camp at different
destinations and don’t really know
anything about the quality of the water
you are using or drinking.

It seems like every day you hear more and more about what is in the water we drink
and how it can impact our health. I have always been an advocate for filtering the water
in an RV, and I am always on the lookout for the best possible method for filtering water.
At one of the RV conventions I attended I had the opportunity to talk to Jerry Rademan,
president and chemist behind the Metal Trap Ultra Dual filtration system, by Hydropure
Technologies. Jerry has a true passion for clean drinking water and water purification.
He explained to me that the Metal Trap Ultra Dual System is the only filter system
commercially available that will eliminate or significantly reduce all contaminants in one
single system. He said, “The people at Hydro Pure Technologies are dedicated to our
families and to our customers. We think there is no other food source that impacts the
health aspect of our lives as clean drinking water! It is our goal to provide the best
quality water that is available commercially.”

Then Jerry challenged me. He said he would send me a Metal Trap Ultra filter system
and let me be the judge. Shortly after returning home from the convention I received the
Metal Trap Ultra Dual water filter system. I installed the 6,000 gallon rated system on
our RV. The installation was quite simple. Watch the water filter installation video here.
The thing I really like about the Metal Trap Ultra Dual System is that it works for both
well water and city water, so it only makes sense that it would be great for RV
applications.
continued

www.rvconsumer.com

7

It filters out metals like iron, manganese, and copper and it also removes
hydrogen sulfide, which causes the rotten egg smell found in most well-water
sources. It also filters out chlorine and chlorinated organic compounds that can
be carcinogenic and it removes residual pharmaceuticals, pesticides and
herbicides that can find their way into our city drinking water.
The metal trap Ultra dual system works on chemical oxidation, absorption and
ion exchange principals that both remove and trap these metals and other
unwanted contaminants. Most other filters work on physically straining the
water, which doesn’t remove the contaminants that are dissolved in the water.
When the water enters the Metal Trap filter the unwanted contaminants get
oxidized and are trapped in the filter body. The activated carbon filters out the
foul tasting and potentially harmful chemicals and contaminants. When the
water enters the second filter it goes through a one micron sediment filter which
filters out viruses, bacteria, fine silt, oxidized metals and un-dissolved calcium
particles greater than one micron in size.
The real test came after the system was installed, and it passed with flying
colors. My wife said it lived up to Jerry’s claim when he said that water filtered
through a Metal Trap Ultra filter system is better than any bottled water and
better tasting too. RV 101

RV Consumer Demographics
Water pressure at campgrounds can be
extremely high and can cause
damage to your RV plumbing
system. Always use a water
pressure regulator when you
hook-up to the campground water supply.
Always connect the water pressure
regulator directly to the campground water
source. This way you regulate the water
pressure where the water pressure
originates. It’s also a good idea to turn the
water supply off if you’re going to be away
from the campground for extended
periods of time. RV 101

Did you know:
 The average RVer is 48 years old.
 The typical RVer has a median
income of $62,000.
 39% of RVers have children under 18
living at home.
 RV owners aged 35 to 54 showed
the largest gain in ownership rates.
 RV ownership among those aged 55
and older has risen from 8.6% in 2005
to 9.3%
Source: RV consumer demographics for RVIA
from the University of Michigan

www.rvconsumer.com

8

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9

And fresh out of college, like many
people in Iowa, I was involved in
politics and served on the governor’s
staff for six years.

Today I will be interviewing Phillip Stanhope,
General Manager of Tuson RV Brakes, LLC.
Tuson RV Brakes offers innovative cutting
edge technology on electric-hydraulic brake
actuators, electronic brake control systems
and anti-lock braking systems for towable
RVs. Let’s meet Phil.
MP: Hi Phil, thanks for taking some time out
of your busy schedule to talk with RV
Consumer e-Magazine.
PS: Thanks Mark, it’s my privilege.
MP: You and I have met and talked in the
past, but can you tell our readers a little
about yourself and Tuson RV Brakes?
PS: Sure, I would be glad to. I’m Phillip
Stanhope, General Manager of Tuson RV
Brakes, LLC. I’ve been with Tuson for about a
year and a half directing the efforts to
develop, test, manufacture and market our
line of trailer brake systems. Before that I ran
my own small business for nearly ten years
which also manufactured trailer components.
Prior to starting my own business, I was a
division manager at Titan International
overseeing their product assembly and
distribution system.

Tuson Corporation which is the parent
company of Tuson RV Brakes, has been
in business for nearly 25 years and is a
component manufacturer and supplier
to many well known companies such as
Caterpillar, Parker Hannifin, Dometic,
and Lippert to name a few. Tuson
makes a wide variety of products but
specializes in hydraulic components
and electric motors. With this
background, Tuson decided to enter
into the hydraulic towable brake
system business in 2010 with their own
line of electric-hydraulic brake
actuators and electronic brake control
systems.

MP: Most travel trailers and fifth
wheels manufactured use electric
drum brakes and have for many years.
Why should an RV owner consider
changing to hydraulic brakes?
PS: That’s true Mark. Electric drum
brakes have been in use since the late
1940’s and over the years provided a
level of performance that served their
purpose. But consider all the changes
in the RV and towable business in the
past 70 years! Trailers have grown in
size and weight and vehicle technology
has advanced by leaps and bounds.

www.rvconsumer.com

10

Meanwhile over all these years, the
only change to electric drum brakes has
been the constant pressure to cost
reduce them with lighter materials, less
friction material and so on. Cars and
trucks used to have drum brakes and
over the years there has been a major
migration to hydraulic disc brakes. The
reason; disc brakes offer about double
the braking force with much less brake
fade due to heat. Electric drum brakes,
because they depend on an electric
magnet, experience even greater brake
fade because magnets become less
effective as heat increases.
There are other key reasons why cars
and trucks have converted to hydraulic
disc brakes: Disc brakes have very few
parts unlike drum brakes with all the
return springs, lever arms, pins etc. The
cost of maintaining disc brakes in much
lower than drum brakes and disc
brakes never require adjusting.
MP: That’s a very convincing argument.
Can you elaborate on why the RV
industry hasn’t converted to hydraulic
disc brakes if they offer the consumer
more features and benefits than
electric drum brakes?
PS: I believe there are two main
reasons the industry has not switched
to disc brakes. The main reason is that
for the most part, consumers do not
know much about the brake system on
their travel trailer or fifth wheel and
don’t worry about it until they have a
problem, get a big brake maintenance
bill or, worst of all; they experience

a stopping situation that gives them a big
scare. . Let’s face it; brake systems don’t sell
RVs. Interior and exterior features are the
things that capture the buyer’s attention
and help sell vehicles. In most cases the stuff
under the frame is generally not even
considered. Therefore, there is no consumer
pressure to improve the brake systems.
Secondly, there is always major cost
pressure on manufacturers to be as
competitive as possible. This has never been
truer than in these difficult times.

MP: That’s all very true. From a cost
standpoint what makes hydraulic disc brake
systems more expensive than electric drum
brakes?
PS: The price of the actual brakes – electric
drum brakes versus disc brake – is fairly
close, with the disc brakes only slightly more
expensive. However, the key cost driver is
brake actuation. To actuate electric drum
brakes you only need to run an electric line
to the magnet and to modulate an electrical
current which is done by the in-cab brake
controller. With hydraulic brakes, an electric
motor, hydraulic pump and brake lines are
required to create hydraulic pressure to
actuate the brakes. This adds significant cost
(generally $400-$500) to the brake system.

MP: We have talked about this before;
Tuson not only offers a hydraulic towable
brake system, but something you call a
network based, 4 channel anti-lock braking
system. Can you tell our reader’s what that
is, and what are the advantages of this type
of system?

www.rvconsumer.com

continued
11

PS: Well Mark, Tuson’s anti-lock braking
system can be broken down into categories
and that is probably the best way to explain
it. I’ll start with the brakes.
Brakes
This is a building block type
system. Starting at the
foundation, Tuson’s system
depends on hydraulic disc
brakes which offer approximately double
the braking force at highway speeds
Brake Controller
Tuson controls these
brakes with a networkbased brake controller.
Rather than using
an inertia based brake controller that
measures the rate of deceleration after
you brake, Tuson’s electronic controller,
known as DirecLink, plugs directly into the
computer system of your tow vehicle. With
this information, the Tuson system has a
constant stream of data from your engine,
transmission and real time speed. This
means that when you step on the brakes,
DirecLink manages the brakes of your
trailer using data from your tow vehicle.
With this technology, the brake systems of
both vehicles are essentially working as
one system. Another key element of
DirecLink is the large color display built in
that provides a wide range of diagnostic
data to the driver in plain language.
DirecLink automatically monitors electrical
connections and many other diagnostic
parameters and alerts the driver of any
problems or failures.

Brake Actuation
Mounted on the trailer is Tuson’s
electric-hydraulic actuator (ActuLink)
which takes
the data from
the DirecLink
located in the
tow vehicle cab
and generates the proper amount of
hydraulic pressure on the brakes. Tuson
also has a patented two-way data
network between the DirecLink and
our electric-hydraulic actuator which
uses the existing vehicle wiring (the
“blue wire”). This network allows for
data to be shared between the tow
vehicle and the towed vehicle. This
means that functions on the trailer can
be automatically monitored and shared
with the driver on DirecLink’s display.
Towable Anti-Lock Braking Control
For the ultimate trailer braking, Tuson
offers a 4 channel
anti-lock brake
module that works
in conjunction with
the DirecLink and
ActuLink. This module is linked by a
digital network to the DirecLink and
ActuLink and the towing vehicle and
also monitors four wheel speed
sensors mounted at the trailer wheels.
Although the technology involved in
this system with all the components
and tow vehicle networked together is
highly complex, it could not be more
simple for the driver.

www.rvconsumer.com

12

When you press the brakes, this system
provides smooth trailer braking in
complete harmony with your towing
vehicle. In the case of slippery road
conditions or emergency or panic stops,
this system gives you the highest possible
level of braking without locking your
trailer tires. This dramatically reduces
stopping distance and prevents tire flatspotting. In essence, you have four-wheel
independent braking in which each tire is
braking at the highest level of rolling
resistance braking.
When trailer tires lock, especially on slick
highway conditions, the trailer will slide
and lose control. By preventing tire lockup, this system dramatically increases
vehicle stability during braking.
In the case of triple axle trailers, the
center axle is slaved to the rear (and
sometimes the front axle based on the
type of suspension) axle. I also want to
point out that this system can be retro-fit
on to any trailer.
MP: I had the opportunity to see this
system in action, so I am a firm believer,
and as I like to say, you get what you pay
for. Do you have any final thoughts for our
readers?

And, the more people who ask for and use
this type of towable braking system, the
more the cost will go down making this
technology within more peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach.

Smoother braking, shorter
stopping distances, greater
vehicle stability, no more flatspotted tires and a wide range
of system diagnostics make
this an investment worth
considering.
MP: Thanks for sitting and talking with us
today Phil. If anybody would like more
information on this topic how can they
contact Tuson RV brakes, or you for that
matter?
PS: You are welcome, and thank you. I
encourage anyone wanting more
information to visit our website at
direclink.com or feel free to call me direct
at 847-816-8800.

Trailer Towing Tip

Tongue Weight (TW) is the amount of the
trailers weight that is pressing down on the
hitch ball. TW is a critical factor in how well
the trailer will tow. Ideally for trailers that
PS: I would just like to say that you may
weigh over 2,000 pounds TW should be 10 to
never need this type of advanced braking
15 percent of the loaded trailer weight. Take
system. But, as you are traveling, with the the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), which is the
investment youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made in your tow
actual weight of the loaded trailer, and
multiply it by .10 and .15. This will give you
vehicle, trailer and all your possessions
the tongue load range you want to be in. Too
inside; do you really want to take the risk.
much TW can cause poor steering, handling
The automotive and truck industry made
and braking. Too little TW can cause the tow
the change years ago, and for good
vehicles rear wheels to lose traction and
reason.
contribute to trailer sway. RV 101
www.rvconsumer.com
13

RV Industry Updates
Livin Lite Recreational Vehicles recently
reported an increase in consumer
interest and sales in response to their
recent product upgrades. The upgrades
include a radius front profile on their
all-aluminum and composite designed
Camplite travel trailer line, and a new
“wood look” interior package featuring
Azdel composite material. The new
wood composite interior gives the lineup a wood grain look and feel.

Greg Dischler, national sales
manager at Livin Lite said,
“Response has been tremendous
from both consumers and dealers.
Our website and Facebook pages
have nearly doubled in traffic since
we made these changes public.”
For more info visit Livin Lite
Winnebago Itasca Travelers (WIT) Club is
now inviting Sunny Brook and Winnebago
brand towable product owners to become
WIT Club members. WIT is a club exclusively
for owners of Winnebago Industries’
produced RV’s. Members are eligible to join
any number of WIT Club affiliations,
including national, state, local or special
interest clubs, as well as participate in funfilled caravans and rallies held throughout
North America. Members also receive
numerous RV travel related benefits. For
more info visit www.winnebagoind.com/clubs/wit.
www.rvconsumer.com

14

RV Smart Tablets Available Now
The RV Smart Tablet is a small portable media device that packs a BIG punch. The RV
smart tablet is loaded with SIX of our most popular full-feature RV training videos, my
best-selling book “The RV Book” (in e-book format) and as a bonus some of my most
popular checklists for RVers.
Note: There is an RV smart tablet for towable RVs and for motorized RVs.
In addition to having all this great RV information sitting in the palm of your hand, the
RV Smart Tablet can store your favorite RV pictures, songs, and e-books, and it functions
as a digital voice recorder, calculator & calendar. The RV Smart Tablet is a $215 retail
value discounted to only

Snowbird Season is Here!
Stay Warm with Free
Camping in the Southwest
By Johnny Shelley

As winter moves in, it is time for many
full-time RVers or snowbirds to begin
the migration south for warmer climes.
There are many opportunities for free
camping in the American Southwest.
These range from free RV parks run by
the city in order to attract tourists to
vast tracts of desert where you can stay
for months at a time.
Quartzsite, AZ
Quartzsite is probably the most popular
snowbird location in the country. Every
winter, this small town in the middle of
the desert explodes into something
approaching a small city as hundreds of
thousands of RVers arrive for the rock
show and the RV show. If you want to be
around a lot of other full-timers or
snowbirds, then Quartzsite might be
exactly what you're looking for.
There are five BLM dispersed camping
locations within a few miles of town as
well as a Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA).
For $180 you can stay in Arizona's two
LTVA areas from September to April. If
staying put that long isn't quite your
thing, you can stay at the dispersed
camping areas for free up to 14 days out
of every 28.

Carlsbad, NM
Everyone knows about Carlsbad Caverns,
but did you realize there is also a lot of BLM
land in the area where dispersed camping
is legal for 14 days at a time? Carlsbad
Caverns is, of course, the big tourist draw in
the area. However if you enjoy hiking,
climbing or caving, there are many other
recreation opportunities in the area.
The nights do get a little chilly, but the
daytime temperatures are balmy and the
Guadalupe mountains offer some
wonderful hiking and caving opportunities.
Unlike Quartzsite, you may very well camp
in an area where you can't see another
camper or even a car for long stretches at a
time.
Padre Island, TX
Maybe the beach is more your style. What
could be better than camping on the
beaches of southern Texas? The Padre
Island National Seashore allows camping
for up to 14 days. A vehicle pass costs $10
for 7 days, so it's not quite free, but it's
pretty close. Padre Island is the longest
stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the
world.

What is a Snowbird?
The term snowbird is used to
describe people (mostly RVers)
who spend a good portion of the
cold winter months in warmer climates. Snowbirds
are made up of people from all walks of life. Many
are retirees who have the freedom to migrate
southward for months at a time. Others are
business ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who can conduct business on the
road, and still others are fulltime RVers who enjoy
warmer climates.

www.rvconsumer.com

16

Be a Good Neighbor
When a campground gets busy it means
more people, more RV’s, more children,
and more pets which equates to less
personal space for everyone. One of the
reasons we enjoy getting away in our RV
is to get some peace and quiet.
Not everyone likes getting up
early or staying up late, so
please be considerate of
other campers around you.
Consider that last statement. Now imagine
camping on a warm sandy beach and not
being able to see a high rise condominium or
hotel. If you get tired of deserted beaches,
you can also head north to Port Aransas and
camp on the beach in the city limits for a few
days!
These are just a few of the possibilities for
this winter. There are many more spots
throughout the southwest ranging from
southern California to Texas that many
snowbirds call home each winter. Sure, you
could just head to a destination RV park and
spend the winter in one place. Or, you could
spend a little bit more money on fuel and
stay at several of the wonderful free
campsites on public lands instead.
Freecampsites.net is dedicated to
making free camping destinations
accessible to the public. You can find
many listings for free campgrounds
throughout the United States and
Canada with an easy to use map
interface.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_Shelley

New to RVs? Thinking about
purchasing an RV, but not
sure where to start? We
have you covered with our
educational book and DVD
libraries.
An Introduction to RVs DVD
RV Training DVD by Type RV
The RV Book
RV Buyer’s Survival Guide book
Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV book
All books available in e-book format too

Watch Mark’s 17 episode
award winning RV series online

www.rvconsumer.com

17

Traveling with Pets

Buck

Gracie

Pets and RV’s just seem to go together. One
of the really great things about traveling in an
RV is that you can take your pets with you. In
many cases the main reason people buy an
RV is so their pets can travel with them.
Two of our dogs (Buck & Gracie) have
traveled with us since they were puppies. Our
most recent addition, Roxie, is a rescue dog
and she took to traveling in the RV like
second nature. All three get extremely
excited when they see us loading the RV for
another trip.
It’s fun and convenient to be able to take your
pets along with you, but I realized a long-time
ago that certain precautions must be taken
when you travel with pets. There were lots of
things to remember about traveling with our
pets, so to make it easier I included this
checklist in my Checklists for RVers e-book.

 Never leave your pets in an RV for
long periods of time without
somebody checking on them
periodically. If you will be away from
your pets and the RV for an
extended period of time leave a key
with someone you can trust to
check on the pets and in case of an
emergency.
 Always have fresh water available
for your pets. You never know the
quality of the drinking water when
you are traveling so it’s a good idea
to take a container of water from
your home that your pets are
accustomed to, or use bottled
water.
 Pets should always travel in a pet
carrier or crate for their personal
safety.
 Get a current health certificate
from your veterinarian before
traveling.
 Always take the pets medical
records along with you.

& Roxie

First and foremost always keep in mind that
an RV gets extremely hot and/or cold inside
depending on the outside temperature.
Always make sure there is some type of
ventilation and/or heat and air available
when pets are left in the RV.

www.rvconsumer.com

18

 Update all vaccinations before
leaving on your trip.
 Take a proof of rabies vaccination.
 Take flea, tick, and heartworm
medications on extended trips.
 Take a pet first aid kit and know
what dosages of medication to give
your pets.
 Take your veterinarians regular
phone number and emergency
phone numbers with you.
 Get the phone number for a local
veterinarian when you arrive at
your destination.
 Don’t forget to take the brand of
pet food your pet is used to and
take a food and water travel bowl.
 Take a walking leash.
 Your pet’s collar should include
identification along with basic
information such as your name,
address and a cell phone number.
You can even include an e-mail
address.
 Take a harness, tie out anchor
and a leash or chain. Give your pet
plenty of room to move, but be
cautious of traffic and obstacles that
they can get hung or caught on. We
use portable exercise pens.
 Take grooming tools, pet toys and
treats.
 Take extra cat litter and the cat
box.
 Take some plastic bags for pet
clean up.
 Take your pet’s favorite bedding
or crate.

 Take some old towels just in case.
 Traveling can be stressful on pets especially
if they are not used to it. When your pet is
away from home and off their regular
schedule it can affect their health. Perform a
daily check-up on your pet. Look for anything
out of the ordinary.
 Stop often when you’re traveling and allow
your pet’s to exercise and to relieve
themselves.
 When making campground reservations be
sure and ask about pets. Some campgrounds
offer kennels and boarding for pets. If your
travel plans include day trips or extended
travel away from the campsite inquire about
these services.

Roxie’s Story

This checklist does not cover everything that
you need to be concerned with when
traveling with pets in your RV, but it’s a good
start. You can add to this list and tailor it to
your specific type of pet or your pet’s needs
and refer back to it before a trip so you don’t
forget anything. ~RV 101

Pet Traveling Tip
Take updated photos of your
pets with you on camping trips.
If they should get lost you can
use the pictures to assist in
finding them.

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19

We talk about black water holding tank odors all the
time, but what about gray water holding tank
odors? If you think about it over time lots of food
particles, bacteria, grease and grime find its way
into the plumbing system and the gray water
holding tank. A conventional P-trap drain is
designed to hold water and prevent odors in the
gray tank from coming up through the sink drains
into the RV interior. The problem with this is when
the RV doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get used for a while the water in the
P traps can evaporate and the odors escape into the
RV.
Fortunately there are a few things we can do to help
prevent this from happening. First and foremost try
to prevent food or other grime from getting into the
plumbing where it can collect and cause odors.
Using a sink trap to catch the debris, and cleaning
off dishes before washing and rinsing them helps a
great deal. When you empty the gray water holding
tank you can add an approved gray water treatment
down the sink drains to help clean and prevent
odors in the gray water tank. When I empty the gray
water tank I put some dishwashing liquid down the
sink and shower drains followed by some water.
Dish washing liquid does a great job of breaking up
any grease in the tank and works to control odors.
As for the water evaporating from the conventional
P traps you can replace the P trap with a HepVo
waterless valve. The HepVo valve is a one way valve
that allows water to run through it, into the holding
tank, but wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow holding tank odors to come
out in the opposite direction. It also takes up less
room under the sink than a conventional P-trap and
it can be installed in a vertical or horizontal
direction.
Watch Controlling Gray Water Odors Video

Learn to do some basic
RV care & maintenance
saving time & money

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20

by Mark Polk

The Kissimmee/Orlando KOA is your
camping destination resort for all of
the amazing attractions central Florida
has to offer. Why spend the winter
staying home in the cold. Pack up the
RV and head to warmer weather and
some fun in the sun.

You will also enjoy the playground, heated
pool, hot tub, tiki hut, pet friendly dog-walk,
wi-fi and all of the other campground's
modern facilities and amenities.

Major interstates are easily accessible
from this KOA campground and the
Kissimmee KOA's staff will make sure
you have a great experience at this
beautiful resort. All of the sites are
spacious and well- appointed, and
there are countless things to do and
places to go at this Florida destination.
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21

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
The Kissimmee Orlando KOA makes a great home base to
return to after visiting all of the fantastic local attractions.
All of Central Florida's Attractions are just minutes
away including Disney World's Magic Kingdom,
Epcot, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Downtown
Disney, Universal Studios, Island of Adventures,
City Walk, as well as Sea World and Discovery
Cove. There are over 100 attractions and
restaurants within minutes of the campground
from Air Boat Rides, Mini Golf, Championship Golf
Courses, Outlet Shopping and more.
This is one vacation spot that is a must for your RV
bucket list of places to visit. So load up the kids,
the RV, hook it up, fuel it up and JUST
to the Kissimmee Orlando KOA.

RV IT

RV101

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22

Campground Tip
We have actually pulled into some
campgrounds and made a quick U
turn to leave. It was easy to see in a
glance that these campgrounds were
not someplace you would want to
spend the night, not to mention a
vacation. Even if you research a
website or campground directory
before leaving on a trip there is no
guarantee that it will be a safe, clean
quality campground. So how can you
know in advance that a campground
will offer a clean, safe environment
for you and your family?
There
are
several
reputable
organizations like AAA, Wheelers RV
Resort & Campground Guide,
Woodallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Trailer Life that rate
campgrounds on an annual basis.
These ratings are based on important
considerations like the campgrounds
facilities and services, cleanliness,
visual appeal, user experience and
more. The rating systems may be
slightly different, using stars or a
numbered rating system, but the
bottom line is where does the
campground stands when it comes to
meeting industry standards.
So, when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re searching through
campground directories and websites
for that perfect place to stay, check
the ratings before you make any
plans. It can sure make you feel
better about choosing a clean, safe
campground to stay at. RV 101

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Type A Motorhome
More Info

Travel Trailer/5th
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RV 6 Pack
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23

Snowbird Extended Stay RV Checks
by Mark Polk

Normally when you plan a trip in your RV
you conduct some pre-trip checks to make
sure the RV is prepared for travel. But what
happens when you find that perfect
campground or RV Park and stay put for
extended periods of time? Do you conduct
routine maintenance checks on the RV to
make sure it is in a safe and operable
condition while itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parked? Most likely you
do, but if not here are some of my
Extended Stay Maintenance Checks.
Inflate tires to
manufacturers
recommended
pressure. Tires
can lose as
much as 2 - 3
psi a month. If you stay in one spot for
three or six months the tire pressure could
be dangerously low. If the unit is not being
moved check and adjust the tire pressure
on a monthly basis. Ozone in the air and UV
rays from the sun shorten the life of your
RV tires. Ozone causes tires to dry rot and
deteriorate and UV rays make it happen
quicker. This is especially true of the tires
sidewall. Inspect your tires periodically for
any checking or cracks in the sidewalls. If
you notice any damage, have the tires
inspected by a professional before using
the RV. Keep the tires covered with covers
that block out the sunlight when the RV is
sitting in one spot or not in use.

Place some
type of RV
leveling blocks
between the
ground and the
tires.
Make sure that whatever you use is
larger than the footprint of the tire. No
portion of the tire should hang over the
edge of the blocking. This can cause
internal damage to the tire. There are
actually several reasons for blocking
tires. First, to make sure the RV is as
level as possible so more weight isn't
resting on one tire than on the others.
Storage surface areas can cause your
tires to age prematurely. You don't want
to leave the tires in contact to any heat
producing material or petroleum based
material like asphalt for long periods of
time. You also don't want them exposed
to constant cold or moisture, like sitting
on the frozen ground. The wood or
blocking acts as a barrier between the
tires and the ground surface they are
being stored on.
If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a motorized RV you should fill the
fuel tank prior to parking it for a long
stay and add a fuel stabilizer. Run the
engine and the generator long enough
for the fuel stabilizer to get through the
fuel system.

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24

If you are not
using the
generator you
should exercise
it monthly with
a minimum of

Routinely test the operation of the
carbon monoxide detector, LP gas leak
detector and smoke alarm. Check the fire
extinguisher monthly to make sure it is
fully charged. Clean or replace air
conditioner filters as required.

a ½ rated load on it. Consult your generator
set owner’s manual for rated loads.
Check and fill the water levels in all
batteries and make sure the batteries stay
fully charged. The electrolyte levels in
batteries will be depleted through long
term use. Check the water levels bi-weekly
at a minimum.
Many RV converter
chargers provide a
constant charge of
about 13.5 volts
which is too high
for fully charged
batteries and the electrolyte is boiled off,
resulting in an early death for the batteries.
You can use a digital voltmeter to measure
voltage and get a quick picture of the
batteries depth of discharge. A fully
charged battery should read about 12.7
volts. Don’t check the voltage when the RV
is plugged in, you will get a false reading.
For a true reading of the batteries they
should be tested after resting for 12 hours.
Resting means the battery is disconnected
from any charger or any load for at least 12
hours.
Change the oil and oil filter on the engine
and the generator prior to long stays or
long term storage. Acids accumulate in
used oil and can corrode engine bearings.

It’s a good idea to keep an ABC
type fire extinguisher in an
outside storage compartment
where it is easily accessible. You
should also keep an ABC type
fire extinguisher inside the RV.
If you tow a trailer
keep an ABC type
fire extinguisher in
the tow vehicle too.
Before moving the RV, after extendedstays or storage, check all fluid levels in
the transmission, power steering, engine
coolant, engine oil, windshield washer
and brakes. Consult your vehicle owner’s
manual for proper levels. Start the engine
and check for proper readings on all
gauges. Check the condition of the
windshield wiper blades and replace
them if necessary. Check the operation of
all chassis lights. Make sure the vehicle
emissions / inspection sticker is up to
date. Complete all pre-trip checks.
I realize there are many other items that
could be added to this list, but this is a
good start. You can tailor this list to meet
your specific needs.
RV 101

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25

By Mark Polk

RV Twin Trak

Have you ever been camping and wanted to add more than one item to the
awning utility track at the same time? I don’t know about you, but I enjoy using a
sunscreen during the daytime and patio lights at night. The problem is I need to
remove the sunscreen to install the patio lights! Valterra Products has a solution
for the problem. It’s called the RV Twin Trak. It’s very simple; the RV twin track
converts one awning utility track into two.
The twin track comes in six 3-foot sections. You simply slide the sections into
the utility awning track. Once they are installed you instantly have two tracks
available to use at the same time. The tracks accept all types of awning
hangers, and now you can use two of your favorite awning accessories at the
same time. Click for more information or to purchase the RV Twin Trak

Our goal at RV Education 101 to assist you in learning how
to properly and safely use and maintain your RV. In this unique
online RV training program we put the RV dealer orientation
(walk -thru) class into video format so you can watch it as many
times as you like, or need, until you are comfortable using your
new RV. Click here for more information on the RV orientation

Watch Intro Video

Learning RVs the Easy Way, by Video & DVD
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26

By Mark Polk

There are lots of things to remember
and to maintain on an RV. Sometimes
we tend to overlook the simplest
maintenance requirements on our RV.
As the old saying goes, you can’t see the
forest for the trees. These simple
oversights can result in costly repair bills
to correct the problem too. Let’s take a
look at some common RV owner
maintenance mishaps.
1.

2.

Checking and adding air when the
tires are hot. I see it all the time,
people checking their tire pressure
when the tires are hot. You should
always check and inflate tires when
the tires are cold, before traveling
more than one mile. Hot air
expands and will give you a false
reading. If the tires are already hot
wait several hours before checking
and adjusting inflation pressure.
Neglecting to periodically check
the water level in batteries. 85% of
lead acid batteries manufactured in
the U.S. die before they should.
One of the leading causes for
battery failure is overcharging the
battery. Overcharging a battery
results in severe water loss and
plate corrosion. This is a common
problem with RV’s.

The RV converter has a built in battery
charger and most RV owners are under the
impression that if you leave the RV plugged
in when the RV is in storage it will keep the
batteries topped off. While keeping batteries
topped off is extremely important the
problem is that many, but not all, RV
converter chargers provide a constant
charge of about 13.5 volts which is too high
for fully charged batteries and the
electrolyte is boiled off resulting in an early
death for the batteries. There have been
advances in converter charger technology
and many of today’s converter chargers are
3-stage chargers that will prevent batteries
from overcharging. Another problem is
during times of high battery usage and
recharging the electrolyte is boiled off.
Periodically checking and adjusting the
water level in the batteries can save and
extend the life expectancy of the battery.
When you add water only use mineral free
water. Distilled water is best and only fill the
battery cell to 1/8 inch below the vent well.

For more information of caring
for your RV check out our
RV Care & Maintenance E-book

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27

3)

Not rinsing and flushing the black
water holding tank after you
empty it. The only way to get a long
service-free life from the RV black
water holding tank is to rinse and
flush the tank after you empty it.
Some RVs have a built in system for
flushing the black water tank, but
many don’t. If your RV doesn’t have
a built in flushing system there are
aftermarket products like tank
cleaning wands and reverse flush
valves that will assist in keeping
your black water tank clean, clogfree and odor-free. Watch a short
video on tank cleaning products.

4)

Not performing pre-departure
checks. I think nearly every RVer, at
one time or another, has learned
this lesson. Pre-departure checks or
a final walk-around before leaving
can save you costly repair bills.
Common RV repairs relating to this
are repairs to the steps, TV
antenna, awnings and power cords.
Take a minute to walk around the
RV, and look on top and
underneath before heading out.

5)

Not periodically inspecting your RV
for water damage. Water leaks on
an RV can cause extensive damage
and can be extremely costly to
repair. To protect your investment
and your wallet you need to take
the time to inspect the RV for water
leaks.

The outside of your RV may look fine
but the internal damage caused by
water over a period of time can result in
the entire roof, floor or wall rotting
away without you even knowing it, until
it’s too late. To prevent a leak before it
starts thoroughly inspect all roof and
body seams, sealants and around any
openings cut in the RV. Reseal any
seams or sealants that show signs of
cracking or separation. Consult your RV
owner manual for inspection intervals
and for the type of sealants compatible
with different types of materials.
6)

Not performing routine safety checks.
It’s not uncommon for RV’s to sit in
storage for periods of time. If dry cell
batteries aren’t removed from devices
like smoke detectors and carbon
monoxide detectors they won’t work
when you need them. By simply getting
in a habit of checking the smoke, CO,
and LP gas leak detectors prior to each
trip you can prevent this from
happening. Follow the testing
instructions in the owner’s manual or
on the device itself. If you remove dry
cell batteries during storage remember
to re-install them next spring. You also
need to get in a habit of inspecting the
fire extinguisher before each trip. Look
to see if the arrow is pointing in the
green area in the sight gauge. If it reads
empty or needs charging replace it or
have it recharged immediately.

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28

If it’s a dry powder type fire
extinguisher the arrow pointing in
the green doesn’t always guarantee
that it will work. Every month you
should turn dry powder
extinguishers upside down, tap on
the bottom of the extinguisher and
shake it so the powder that settled
on the bottom is released. Make
sure you know how to operate the
fire extinguisher too. A simple pretrip checklist can serve as a
reminder to test all safety devices
prior to leaving on a trip.
7)

Not maintaining the RV water
system. The potable water system
in your RV requires some
maintenance to keep it trouble
free. Something I’ve run into quite
often is the complaint that there is
a stale odor coming from the RV
water system. When you return
from a trip and you’re not going to
use the RV for a while you need to
drain the entire water system to
prevent it from getting stale and
musty. You should drain the water
heater, low point water drains and
the fresh water holding tank.
Caution: Never drain the water
heater tank when it is hot or under
pressure. You can start by draining
the water heater tank. Go to the
outside compartment where the
water heater is located. The drain
plug, or petcock is normally located
in the bottom left hand corner.

Remove the plug and open the pressure
relief valve on top of the water heater to
assist in draining. Caution: Never drain the
water heater tank when it is hot or under
pressure. With the drains still open you can
turn the water pump on for a moment to
help force any remaining water out of the
system. Do not let the pump continue to run
once the water stops draining. Close all of
the drains. RV 101